Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

Sapporo Teine (サッポロテイネ) is the largest of several medium sized ski resorts on the outskirts of Sapporo. Just 40 minutes outside of the city center, the resort features a variety of ski trails from wide, gently sloping hills to long and fast advanced courses which include two runs used for some ski events during the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. The Olympic Torch still stands above the resort as a monument overlooking Sapporo and the Sea of Japan below.

Sapporo Teine's good selection of trails are spread out over two zones and connected by a gondola and a six kilometer long trail. The upper Highland Zone reaches 1000 meters above sea level and features medium to advanced courses, off trail runs, and a snow park with jumps, boxes and rails. The lower Olympia Zone has wider, less steep trails suitable for beginners, as well as a family park offering sledding and tubing.

Get There and Around

By train

Take one of the frequent JR trains between Sapporo and Teine Stations (10-15 minutes, 260 yen one way). At Teine Station change to an hourly JR bus (number 70) bound for Teine Highland and get off at the ski resort (30 minutes, 390 yen one way). Buses depart from bus stop number 3 at the station's south exit. Both the train and bus are covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

JR Hokkaido also offers a selection of affordable package tickets, called Skip Teine, that include a round trip by train and bus to the resort, plus your choice of lift tickets and rental options. They can be purchased up to the day of departure at select JR ticket offices around Sapporo and Otaru.

By bus

There are direct ski buses between selected hotels in central Sapporo and Teine Ski Resort from early December to late March. The trip takes 35-50 minutes, and a round trip ticket costs 5500 yen and includes a 7-hour lift ticket. Reservations are required and must be made at least one day in advance.